Draft-equalizer.



H. D. GRANT.

DRAFT EQUALIZER.

APPLICATION FILED 001:17, 19.10.

"Mw/20am Gttozwujo CDLUMBIA PLANOURAPH c0..wASHlNGTON. D. c.

Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

HUGH D. GHHNH or wnrsnn, IDAHO.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Paten-ted Nov. 28,' 1911.

Application filed October 17, 1910. Serial No. 587,470.

This invention relates to draft equalizers and has for an object toprovide an equalizer which will evenly and proportionately distributethe draft upon all of the draft animals. j

Another object is to provide means for connecting the draft equalizingbar so as to throw the greater portion of the burden upon one or more ofthe animals, as desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel features of construction, combination and arrangements ofparts as will be more fully described and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of my improveddraft equalizing mechanism. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof. Figs. 3and 4 are transverse sections taken on the line 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1,respectively. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the adjustable draft link.

Referring particularly t-o the drawings, my improved equalizer comprisesa main bar 1, to the opposite ends of which are attached pulleysupportingplates or bearings 2 in which pulleys 3 are suitably mounted.The upper or supplemental equalizer bar 4 is pivoted at its center tothe main bar 1 and suitably arranged between t-he bars 1 and 4substantially at the center of said bars are one or more grooved pulleys5. Bearings 8 having pulleys 7 mounted therein are arranged adjacenteach end of the supplemental bar 4.

A. flexible draft cable, wire or like traction element 6 is arranged topass over one of the pulleys 3, around the pulley 7 mounted in one ofthe bearing 8 extending from the bar 4 and over one of the groovedpulleys 5.

A second draft cable or like traction element 9 is arranged to pass overthe pulley 3 on the opposite end of the equalizer bar, the other pulley7 and one of the pulleys 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

ythevehicle by the draft bar 20.

The kends of the cables 6 and 9 are proi vided with suitable means, as10, for hitching the 'draft animals thereto. `A pair of connecting links11 are arranged with their inner ends connected to an intermediate link12, adapted to be suitably connected with At their outer ends the links11 are provided with a cross bar 13 having spaced apertures thereinthrough which extend the rods 14, which are pivotally mounted, as at 15,upon the pin or bolt 16, extending through the bearings 8. Rods 14 alsopass through a cross bar 17, and suitable resilient means, such as thecoiled springs 18, are interposed between the cross bars 13 and 17respectively to assist in taking up any sudden movement or jerksoccurring during the travel of the vehicle. In Fig. 5 is illustrated anadjustable link 12 provided with a plurality of spaced openings or slots21 therein, through any of which may be connected the draft bar 20. Itwill be apparent that by changing the draft bar from one of saidapertures to another, a greater or less proportion of the weight of thevehicle will be transferred to one side of the draft equalizingmechanism. By this means the greater portion of the burden may beshifted upon any o-ne or more of the draft animals as required, theother of said animals being relieved of a considerable portion of theweight of the vehicle.`

It is believed that the operation and use of the herein describedequalizing mechanism will be readily apparent without any furtherdescription.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined in theappended claims.

Whatvis claimed is:

1. A draft equalizer comprising a main bar, a supplemental bar pivotallymounted thereon, pulleys at opposite ends of the main bar, pulleysmounted adjacent the opposite ends of the supplemental bar, pulleysbetween said bars at the center of the draft equalizer and tractionelements passing over said pulleys. Y

2. A draft equalizer comprisingfa main bar, a supplemental bar pivotallymounted thereon, pulleys adjacent the ends ofthe main and supplementalbars, pulleys between said bars arranged substantially at the center ofthe equalizer, attaching elements passing over said pulleys, and meansfor connecting the supplemental bar with the vehicle including pivotalyielding links between the supplemental bar and the vehicle.

3. A draft equalizer comprising a main bar, a supplemental bar pivotallymounted thereon, pulleys adjacent the ends of the main and supplementalbar, pulleys between said bars substantially at the center of theequalizer, a plurality of cables passing over said pulleys, bearingsextending from the supplemental bar adJacent its ends, connect ing linksextending from said bearings, an intermediate link connecting saidlinks, means for connecting the intermediate link with the vehicle andresilient elements ar-l ranged to oppose the movement of said connectinglinks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing wit- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve centseach, by addressing the Washington, D. C.

Commissioner of Patents,

